Pasco Fatal Crash Instigator Facing Five Major Charges

The 22-year-old driver who triggered one of the deadliest Tri-City area crashes in years will appear in court February 12th.

That's when Eduardo Lopez is expected to enter his pleas on two counts each of vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, and a charge of failing to stop and identify himself at the scene of an accident.

Lopez was Eastbound on Interstate 182 Saturday evening, when his Chrysler slammed into a Jeep driven by Kimberly D. Youngblood, 44, of Benton City. She careened across the median and was hit by at least five other vehicles. She was dead at the scene. A second accident victim, 48-year-old Michelle L. Scheuerman of Pasco, was the first vehicle to hit Youngblood's Jeep after it cross the freeway.

Scheuerman died from her injuries Tuesday afternoon at Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Two other people suffered significant but non-life threatening injuries.

Lopez fled the scene, called a friend for a ride. He was arrested Sunday evening. He did admit having two energy drinks with alcohol before driving. He's being held on $1million dollar bail, pending his Feb. 12 appearance.

Authorities say it's the deadliest crash on that stretch of highway, and one of the worst in recent Tri-Cities history.